Steve Bruce came out fighting ahead of Villa's clash with Norwich City, insisting he remains the right man to turn the fortunes around in B6.

This is what he said at Bodymoor Heath this morning ahead of what has already been billed as a must-win game.

ON DEALING WITH THE PRESSURE AFTER A DIFFICULT START

“I think it comes with the territory of Aston Villa because that’s how it’s been for the last five/six years. A few bad results and it’s ‘off with the managers head, out you go!’

“And then the scenario turns round again.

“It is quite ridiculous after a week, I shouldn’t have to judge myself after a week, after been in it so long but I suppose nowadays it comes with the territory.

“What you’ve got to be is bigger than it, ride the storm as we always do when we’re up against it.

“Every manager wants a good start, all of us dread a bad start. But when it doesn’t happen you batten down the hatches and stay to what you believe in and hope you can turn it around quickly. That’s all you can do.”

Read More

“It’s been difficult to bring in additions and we won’t be spending millions like I’ve said repeatedly now.

“That’s not been the answer for year after year.

“I’m very pleased with the squad that I have assembled.

“We’ve got three or four injured, two in particular Kodjia and Jedinak who are important to the team, especially Kodjia.

“We’ve been creating enough chances and unfortunately haven’t been able to take them.

“The club’s top goal scorer is sitting in the stands at the minute so we hope in the next few weeks that we get him back and if there is something that can help us at the top end of the pitch, then we’ll do something.”

ON SAM GALLAGHER

“I think every club in the Championship has been linked with Sam because we do believe that he is now available from Southampton.

“It is something we are looking at along with maybe 10 or 11 other clubs.”

Read More

“There are big teams and big clubs who are all trying to get out of it.

“The competition is fierce and when we are seeing the vast amount of money that some clubs are spending too it’s quite remarkable that the Championship has gone down that route too but it’s bigger and better than its ever been.

“It’s a tough league like we’ve just witnessed. But we have to turn it round. The one thing about the Championship is that the games come around so quickly,

“We’ve got another two games in the space of five or six days.

“Let’s hope by the next time I see you that we’ve got a win under our belt and there isn’t this doom and gloom that has engulfed us.”